The 11 for '11

Sep 24, 2010

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SPECIALIZED S-WORKS EPIC CARBON 29ER

PRICE: $9,400 WEIGHT: 22 lb. (M) INFO:specialized.com
If you need proof that Specialized is now fully behind large-diameter wheels, take a look at the new S-Works Epic Carbon 29er. The frame is all carbon, right down to the proprietary 142x12mm rear thru-axle dropouts. The Roval wheels have tubeless-ready molded carbon rims to add stiffness and shave weight. Up front, the custom Specialized/RockShox Reba 29 fork has Specialized's Brain inertia-valve lockout, as well as a carbon crown and steerer. A slightly altered rear link reduces pedal feedback, so the bike relies less on the Brain's lockout for efficiency. (The fork has reduced platform, as well.) » The changes create a more responsive ride, especially on low-amplitude bumps, without sacrificing speed on smoother trails. The frame is near perfect—stiff where it has to be and compliant where it should be—making this 29er a shoo-in as one of the best XC bikes ever.

Why: Cutting-edge technology and redesigned suspension make this bike a winner

PRICE: $7,870 WEIGHT: 22 lb. (M, claimed) INFO:trekbikes.com
The Fuel EX frame is now 100 percent carbon, and the full SRAM XX group brings the total weight of this 120mm-travel bike down to 22 pounds. Stiffness increases, too, thanks in part to a 142x12mm thru-axle rear end. Up front, a custom piston-and-shim arrangement, says Trek, makes the Fox 32 FIT fork more responsive and better matched to the proprietary DRCV shock. The rebound tuning of the shock has been tweaked for better big-hit control, as well. » Our preview ride on the 2011 EX 9.9 reaffirmed our feelings about the high-end machine. As trail bikes go, it leans toward the cross-country end of the spectrum. However, it's also stiff and stable enough to bomb technical descents with confidence, and so light and efficient that it would be a fantastic choice for a marathon or 24-hour event.

Why: Refinements to this XC-oriented trail bike make it more fun to ride than ever

PRICE:$8,000 WEIGHT: 25.4 lb. (M) INFO:cannondale.com
The Jekyll is back and set to turn the trail category on its head thanks to its Fox-designed and manufactured DYAD RT2 pull shock. A bar-mounted lever lets the rider choose between the 150mm Flow travel mode or the 90mm Elevate mode, which reduces sag by 40 percent for a better climbing position and higher bottom bracket. The bike will be available in less-expensive aluminum models, but the higher-end all-carbon versions have a claimed frame weight of 4.5 pounds. »We found the Jekyll to have an incredibly broad range of capabilities. Elevate mode offers a firm feel that keeps the rear wheel clawing away while minimizing excess movement. Unleash the shock and the bike doesn't just "Flow," it rips like no other Cannondale trail bike before. The dual-threat shock has the potential to wed ride-everything utility with genuine climbing prowess, and that flexibility raises the bar for how good a 150mm-travel bike can be.

Why: The innovative shock brings this two-faced bike to life—in a very good way

PRICE: $6,500 WEIGHT: 30 lb. (M) INFO:scott-sports.com
Scott's latest take on all-mountain aggression replaces the company's Ransom and boasts big travel at 185mm. The travel is easily controlled by the Twinloc bar-mounted system, which switches the third-generation DT Swiss-made pull shock from locked out to 110mm traction mode to full travel with a flick of a lever. Plus, the new one-piece IMP5 carbon mainframe keeps the bike light—Scott claims it has the best travel-to-weight ratio in the class. » The low overall weight paired with climbing-friendly lockout and traction modes makes this long-travel trail bike effective on the climbs. However, the Genius LT 10 is a real magic-maker when the trail turns down. With its generous travel and lower, slacker poise, it inspires reckless line choices.

Why: Flip a lever and this bike goes from climbing specialist to downhill maniac

PRICE: $1,800 (frame only); $2,900-$5,500 (complete); $4,500 (25th Anniversary, complete) WEIGHT: 7.1 lb. (frame only) INFO:yeticycles.com
It's Yeti's 25th anniversary, and the company has celebrated by lavishing a host of refinements upon the 5.75-inch-travel 575. The updated bike embraces current standards: a tapered head tube, ISCG mounts for the chainguide, and cable guides for dropper posts. A beefy new swingarm is designed to take a direct-mount front derailleur; the back end features Yeti's chip system for 142x12mm thru-axle or 135mm compatibility. There are also new colors and graphics, including a limited run of 250 frames in throwback paint schemes with matching components. »With geometry and suspension untouched, the 575 retains the ride that made it popular, but with improved stiffness and some weight gain. It's a scrappy climber and a scorching descender that feels at home on almost any trail no matter how buff or technical.

PRICE: $3,000 (frame only, includes Cane Creek AngleSet); $5,175 and up (complete); $7,800 (limited edition Team Syndicate replica) WEIGHT: 9.1 lb. (M frame w/RockShox Vivid R2C shock INFO:santacruz.com
With a new carbon front triangle, Santa Cruz's successful V-10 frame lost a pound and gained adjustable geometry, adjustable travel, bigger bearings, bigger axles, a longer-stroke shock and strength over the old aluminum model. » We had an opportunity to ride a prototype 34-pound V-10 Carbon. Once we started using a lighter touch, we began to appreciate the Carbon's low-slung frame and heroic stiffness. Despite its suspension changes, the Carbon rides a lot like the old V-10: Part of the magic is having 10 inches of travel with geometry similar to 8-inch-travel frames. As for the complaint that the V-10 lacked snap and was too plush for less demanding courses: There's a new 8.5-inch-travel setting for that. And the best news of all? There's essentially no price increase with the new bike.

Why: Stiffer, stronger, lighter and more adjustable than last year's model

PRICE: $2,650 WEIGHT: 28.5 lb. (M) INFO:giant-bicycles.com
Over the past four years, the aggressive offspring of the popular Trance model has become Giant's most successful bike, which the company has redesigned for 2011 to address riders' demands for slacker head tubes, stiffer frames and less weight. » The bike features a 69-degree head tube—a half-degree slacker than the previous version—designed to fit a tapered steerer tube. The oversized down tube increases stiffness, especially at the bottom bracket area. The remaining tubes give a classic front-triangle look, and Giant shaved 73 grams from the frame while increasing stiffness throughout. » Although rear-wheel travel remains at 127mm, the bike descends more capably and feels comfortable on all but the steepest terrain. Fortunately, the Trance X still has the responsive handling and excellent pedaling characteristics of its predecessors, which should make it one of the top trail bikes of 2011.

PRICE: $6,925 WEIGHT: 26.7 lb. (M) INFO:norco.com
Norco's new 160mm-travel, all-mountain Range SE really does have range, thanks at least in part to the company's Advanced Ride Technology (ART) suspension platform. It's still an FSR-licensed, modified Horst-link bike, but the pivot placement has been optimized to allow the rear wheel to travel 20 percent more rearward than the company's previous suspension design. This delivers greater anti-squat when climbing and more linear suspension travel to absorb square-edge bumps when descending. » Our first taste of the Range was on its home turf, Vancouver's North Shore. The bike delivered a dynamic, bob-free ride on long climbs and devoured rocky and steep downhills—including some surprise five-foot drops off the top of the Pipeline Trail that would normally call for a few more inches of travel. Not bad for a sub-27-pound bike.

Why: It has six inches of plush travel, but is still efficient enough for climbing

PRICE: $5,350 WEIGHT: 34.4 lb. (M, claimed) INFO:gtbicycles.com
After a one-year absence, the Sanction is back as an enduro-style all-mountain bike that's better equipped for pedaling than its forefathers, thanks to a reduction in weight and smart component upgrades. » Anyone doubting this bike's climbing pedigree need look only at the shock. In place of the heavier Fox RC4 air shock of the past is the new Fox RP23, which is nearly as plush but weighs a half-pound less with a better pedaling platform. The updated Sanction also comes with an adjustable-height seatpost, tapered head tube and SRAM X0 2x9 setup with bashguard and chain guide. » A few brief test rides showed that the 150mm-travel bike is stiff, smooth and surprisingly nimble, especially on long, flowing, bermed descents. Though it tackled biggerhit stuff well (aided by a custom shock tune), it's obvious that the new Sanction is designed less for hucking and more for pedaling, railing corners and ripping down steep, technical trails.

Why: Downhill prowess and pedal-friendly lightness come in one package

PRICE: $6,300; $1,995 (frame) WEIGHT: 25 lb. (M, claimed) INFO:pivotcycles.com
Pivot's Mach 5 morphs into the new Mach 5.7 for 2011 and has a more-aggressive attitude to go with its additional .7 inches of rear wheel travel. The redesigned frame is stiffer—and a half-pound lighter—than the old model, and a flatter spring curve gives a plusher overall suspension feel. Geometry gets a significant tweak, too, with a more-relaxed head angle, taller head tube and .4-inch-lower bottom bracket. » Initial concerns that the bike might not have the original's ultra-crisp pedaling performance were immediately erased when we tested the 5.7 on Moab's Sovereign Trail: It still drives forward with the efficiency that made us fans of the Mach 5. The boost in frame stiffness is noticeable, especially in the front end—a nice touch because the plusher suspension and geometry say "attack" like never before.

Why: More travel, with the same snappy pedaling as its beloved predecessor

PRICE: $4,200 WEIGHT: 30.1 lb. (M) INFO:orbea.com
Like GT's Sanction, this 150mm-travel bike is intended for all-mountain riding and Megavalanche-style enduro racing. » Its beauty is in the details. The Rallon uses a tuned-linkage single-pivot suspension, but Orbea's engineers spent two years poring over mountains of data—right down to the effect of tire pressure on shock performance—to identify the optimal spring curve and placement of the pivots. This intense focus on small details is carried throughout, from the manipulated frame tubes to the cartridge bearings on the pivots. » The suspension delivers a supple, active feel and then progresses smoothly through its travel. At 7 pounds with shock, the frame is relatively light for a bike with this much travel. The Rallon is also surprisingly quick, thanks to chainstays that are only 2mm longer than those on Orbea's Alma carbon hardtail. If our early rides are any indication, this is a bike worth checking out.

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